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C ° PV THE SECOND BOOK 



OF THE 



^NEID OF VIRGIL 



A SPECIMEN OF A NEW TRANSLATION 
IN BLANK VERSE 






G: Kv RICKARDS, M.A. 



[FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY] 



LONDON 

PRINTED BY 

SPOTTISWOODE & CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE, FARRINGDON STREET 

AND PARLIAMENT STREET, WESTMINSTER 



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PREFACE 



In undertaking a new translation of the JEneid into 
English verse, I am desirous of submitting this speci- 
men, in the first instance, to a limited number of 
competent judges, whose opinion, if I am so favoured 
as to obtain it, may guide me in the further prosecu- 
tion of the work. I shall therefore feel very grateful 
for criticisms and suggestions — the more frankly 
expressed the more .acceptable — from any persons 
into whose hands these pages may come. I shall 
thus be enabled to judge whether my conception of 
the work, and the style in which I have commenced 
it, are such as approve themselves to those who are 
best qualified to pronounce an opinion ; and I shall 
learn, in case I should be encouraged to proceed with 
my task, what sort of errors I am most liable to fall 
into, and what deficiencies I should endeavour to 
remedy in the future. 

Every one who attempts to render a poem from 
another language into his own must encounter at the 
outset the difficulty of deciding between the obligation 
of faithfulness to the original which the office of a 



VI PREFACE. 

translator involves, and the indulgence of that free- 
dom which appears necessary to impart ease and 
naturalness to his own composition. Since, however, 
an adherence to absolute literal ness — the strict observ- 
ance of the verbum verbo reddere principle — must, if 
not impracticable, be fatal to poetical effect, the 
question becomes one of degree, and is variously- 
solved by each translator according to his own idea of 
what is fitting and attainable. Of the many trans- 
lations of the classical poets which have appeared 
within the present generation, I venture to think that 
the accomplished authors have in more instances erred 
in the adoption of a too rigid rule than the reverse. 
It requires a very rare combination of gifts to main- 
tain throughout a long work (and not in isolated 
passages only) a standard of close literalness without 
sinking into a style which to English readers, espe- 
cially if unacquainted with the original, will appear 
bald, stiff, and unidiomatic. Any metrical translation 
which is signally deficient in ease, in harmony, or 
spirit, however it may be applauded by scholars as a 
feat of ingenuity, will surely incur the fate of being 
rejected with distaste, and pronounced by the bulk of 
even cultivated persons, unreadable. The production 
of a work which incurs this sentence, whatever merit 
on the score of skill and accuracy it may justly claim, 
is a misapplication of labour. Even those translators 
who have assumed for themselves the widest licence, 
and have indulged most freely in the liberty of omis- 



PREFACE. vil 

sion and interpolation, yet, if they have succeeded in 
imparting the native graces of style to their own com- 
position, have acquired more favour and taken more 
lasting hold of the public mind than those who, at 
the sacrifice of ease and vivacity, have adhered pain- 
fully to the original. Confessedly unlike as is Pope's 
Iliad to the Iliad of Homer, it is, and probably will 
always be, preferred by English readers to the scru- 
pulously faithful version of Cowper. 

The above remarks may possibly be suspected of 
a design to convey a prefatory excuse on my own 
part for some conscious infidelity to the obligations of 
a translator, a fault which in my case would be very 
poorly compensated by any countervailing merits. I 
have only to say, that if my version should be consi- 
dered to show too much laxity in deviating from the 
original, I shall bow with deference to that judgment, 
and shall endeavour, as far as in me lies, to correct the 
error both by a revision of the specimen now printed, 
and (if I should proceed further) in the remainder of 
the work. But, with the sense which I entertain of 
the exquisite gracefulness and stateliness of Virgil, 
c the most elegant of poets/ it was impossible for me 
not to aim at least — to whatever extent I might fail in 
the execution — to transfuse into an English version 
some faint semblance of the manner and spirit of the 
original. The highest excellence of a translation I 
should conceive to be that, while reflecting all that is 
really material and significant in the thought and 



viii PREFACE. 

expression, it should, as far as possible, c read like an 
original,' and, above all, should represent the manner 
of the author, in the same way as a skilful portrait- 
painter is able to convey the very living expression 
and character of a countenance which the literal ac- 
curacy of photography will wholly fail to reproduce. 
Having thus stated my ideal, it only remains for me 
to regret the inevitable defectiveness of the execution. 
One word only in addition as to the metre. I 
have adopted blank verse as that which, in my judg- 
ment, conforms itself better than any other to the flow 
of the original, gives ampler scope for the variety, and 
is the worthiest vehicle for the dignity, of Virgil's 
style. I am confirmed in this preference by an 
opinion intimated, though he did not himself act 
upon it, by that very accomplished Virgilian scholar, 
Professor Conington, to whose excellent edition of 
the original and his valuable commentary I have 
been greatly indebted. 

G. K. R. 

ii Cleveland Gardens, Hyde Park: 
July, 1869. 



^NEID 
Book II 



JENEID, BOOK II. 

Hushed was each voice, attentive every ear, 

When from his stately couch the Dardan chief 

Began : ' Thy mandate, gracious queen, revives 

The memory of a grief too great for words ; 

How Ilium fell, by Grecian arts o'erthrown, 

And closed in blood her lamentable reign : — 

A tragic scene, in which I played some part, 

And witnessed all its woes. Such tale, methinks, 

Nor Myrmidon, nor rude Thessalia's sons, 

Nor soldier of th' obdurate Ithacan, io 

Could hear unmoved. Already wanes the night, 

And setting; stars admonish to repose ; 

But since, by pity stirred, such strong desire 

Moves thee to learn the woeful end of Troy 

(Though shuddering at the thought of horrors past 

My soul recoils), this brief recital hear. 

c Worn with their long campaign, and foiled by Fate, 
Th' Achaean chiefs, by Pallas taught their skill, 
Construct a giant Horse, with ribs of pine 
Compact ; like mountain towering to the skies : 20 

" A votive offering for their safe return." 
So Rumour spoke, and men believed the tale : 
But secretly within the hollowed sides 
A chosen band is couched, equipped for fight, 
A legion pent in that capacious womb. 

c In sight of Trojan shores lies Tenedos, 
An isle of prosperous fame in Priam's days, 



AENEIDOS, LIBER II. 

Conticuere ornnes, intentique ora tenebant. 
Inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto : 

Infandum, Regina, iubes renovare dolorem, 
Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum 
Eruerint Danai ; quaeque ipse miserrima vidi, 
Et quorum pars magna fui. Quis talia fando 
Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi 
Temperet a lacrimis ? et iam nox humida caelo 
Praecipitat, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos. 
Sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros 10 

Et breviter Troiae supremum audire laborem, 
Ouamquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit, 
Incipiam. 



Fracti bello fatisque repulsi 
Ductores Danaum, tot iam labentibus annis, 
Instar montis equum divina Palladis arte 
Aedificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas ; 
Votum pro reditu simulant ; ea fama vagatur. 
Hue delecta virum sortiti corpora furtim 
Includunt caeco lateri, penitusque cavernas 
Ingentes uterumque armato milite conplent. 20 

Est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama 
Insula, dives opum, Priami dum regna manebant, 



4 JENEID, BOOK II 

A lonely creek and treacherous roadstead now. 
In that secluded bay, by night withdrawn, 
The Grecian fleet lay screened ; we fondly thought 30 

Their homeward sails for far Mycense bound. 
Quit of her foes, the long-beleaguered town 
Flings wide her gates ; the people, wild with joy, 
Explore th' abandoned camp, and range the shore 
Freed from invaders now : " There lay the ships, 
Here pitched the fiery Myrmidon his tent, 
There met the lines in action." Others viewed 
In mute amaze Minerva's baneful gift, 
The towering Horse ; and first Thymoetes urged 
(Seduced by treason or by Fate inspired) 40 

To hale the effigy within the gates, 
And plant it in the citadel : but some 
Whom Capys, wise of counsel, swayed, exhort 
To burn th' insidious fabric where it stood, 
Or hurl it in the sea, or with keen swords 
To probe the secret and unmask the foe ; — 
Alternate counsel sways th' inconstant crowd. 
c A sudden concourse from the citv speeds, 
Laocoon at its head ; with hurried step 
And voice of stern reproof, " Misguided men ! 50 

He cries, " what frenzy blinds you, to suppose 
The foe decamped ; their gifts without a snare ? 
For guileless counsels is Ulysses known ? 
Mark now my words — or foes are there concealed, 
Or 'tis some engine framed to breach our walls, 
O'ertop the citadel and storm the town : 
Whate'er it means, 'tis treachery : men of Troy, 
Trust not the Horse ; beware of gifts when Greeks 
Turn givers." As he spoke, his well-poised spear 
Full at the teeming monster's flank he hurled. 60 

The shaft pierced deep and quivered in the side ; 
Loud through the echoing caverns rung the sound : 



AENIDOS, LIB. II. 5 

Nunc tantum sinus et statio male fida carinis ; 

Hue se provecti deserto in litore condunt. 

Nos abiisse rati et vento petiisse Mycenas. 

Ergo omnis longo solvit se Teucria luctu. 

Panduntur portae ; iuvat ire et Dorica castra 

Desertosque videre locos litusque relictum. 

Hie Dolopum manus, hie saevus tendebat Achilles ; 

Classibus hie locus ; hie acie certare solebant. 30 

Pars stupet innuptae donum exitiale Minervae 

Et molem mirantur equi ; primusque Thymoetes 

Duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari, 

Sive dolo, seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant. 

At Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti, 

Aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona 

Praecipitare iubent, subiectisque urere flammis, 

Aut terebrare cavas uteri et tentare latebras. 

Scinditur incertum studia in contraria volgus. 



Primus ibi ante omnes, magna comitante caterva, 40 

Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce, 
Et procul : O miseri, quae tanta insania, cives ? 
Creditis avectos hostes ? aut ulla putatis 
Dona carere dolis Danaum ? sic notus Ulixes ? 
Aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achivi, 
Aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros 
Inspectura domosventuraque desuper urbi, 
Aut aliquis latet error ; equo ne credite, Teucri. 
Ouidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. 
Sic fatus validis ingentem viribus hastam 50 

In latus inque feri curvam conpagibus alvum 
Contorsit. Stetit ilia tremens, uteroque recusso 
Insonuere cavae gemitumque dedere cavernae. 



6 JENEID, BOOK If. 

And, but for Fate perverse and warning spurned, 
Our swords had laid the thin-veiled ambush bare ; 
Firm to this hour had stood great Priam's throne, 
Unscathed thy lofty towers, Imperial Troy ! 

4 Now Phrygian herdsmen to the royal tent 
A prisoner bring, his arms behind him bound ; 
Caught by his own device — with deep-laid scheme 
To yield our forts unguarded to the foe, 70 

The stranger came : for either fate prepared, 
His crafty purpose to achieve or die. 
From far and near the Trojan youth flock round 
To scan the captive's mien, and mock his woe : 
Hear now the tale he brought, and from this type 
Of shameless treachery judge of Grecian faith. 
There as he stood unarmed within our lines, 
And gazed around him on the hosts of Troy, 
" Alas ! " he cried, " what spot on land or sea, 
What refuge on th' inhospitable earth 80 

Is left for me, the outcast of my kind — 
Whom Greeks in hate thrust from them, at whose life 
The Dardan sword is aimed, athirst for blood ? " 
Touched by his piteous wail, we change our mood ; 
Wrath to compassion yields : we bid him tell 
His name, his race, the claim he pleads for life. 
Thus, reassured at length, the captive spoke, 
" Whate'er betide, great King, no word untrue 
Shall pass my lips ; nor seek I to disown 
My Grecian birth : though Sinon be by Fate 90 

Most wretched made, no power shall make him false. 
It may be the renown hath reached thine ears 
Of Palamedes, no inglorious name, 
From Belus sprung, whom our Pelasgian chiefs, 
Indignant that his voice opposed the war, 
By process foul and evidence suborned, 
To death condemned, now mourn, alas ! too Luc. 



AENIDOS, LIB. II. 7 

Et, si fata deum, si mens non laeva fuisset, 
Inpulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras, 
Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta, maheres. 

Ecce, manus iuvenem interea post terga revinctum 
Pastores magno ad regem clamore trahebant 
Dardanidae, qui se ignotum venientibus ultro, 
Hoc ipsum ut strueret Troiamque aperiret Achivis, 60 

Obtulerat, fidens animi, atque in utrumque paratus, 
Seu versare dolos, seu certae occumbere morti. 
Undique visendi studio Troiana iuventus 
Circumfusa ruit, certantque inludere capto. 
Accipe nunc Danaum insidias, et crimine ab uno 
Disce omnes. 

Namque ut conspectu in medio turbatus, inermis, 
Constitit atque oculis Phrygia agmina circumspexit : 
Heu, quae nunc tellus, inquit, quae me aequora possunt 
Accipere ? aut quid iam misero mihi denique restat, 70 

Cui neque apud Danaos usquam locus, et super ipsi 
Dardanidae infensi poenas cum sanguine poscunt ? 
Quo gemitu conversi animi, compressus et omnis 
Impetus. Hortamur fari ; quo sanguine cretus, 
Ouidve ferat, memoret, quae sit fiducia capto. 
[Ille haec, deposita tandem formidine, fatur :] 

Cuncta equidem tibi, Rex, merit quodcumque, fatebor 
Vera, inquit ; neque me Argoiica de gente negabo ; 
Hoc primum ; nee, si miserum Fortuna Sinonem 
Finxit, vanum etiam mendacemque inproba finget. 80 

Fando aliquod si forte tuas pervenit ad aures 
Belidae nomen Palamedis et incluta fama 
Gloria, quern falsa sub proditione Pelasgi 
Insontem infando indicio, quia bella vetabat, 
Demisere neci, nunc cassum lumine lugent : 



8 ^NEID, BOOK II. 

To him was I, a stripling, by my sire, 

Kinsman and comrade in this war consigned, 

While yet his power stood firm and influence high ioo 

At council-board ; nor was my name unknown 

In honour's field. When to the envious hate 

Of that intriguing Ithacan my friend 

A victim fell (a story by report 

Too truly known), indignant at the wrong, 

I nursed my grief in solitude and shunned 

Their treacherous counsels ; but my heedless tongue 

Rash words, that earned me bitter hatred, spoke, 

And threats of vengeance for my murdered chief, 

Should Fate restore me to my Argive home. 1 1 o 

Hence all my troubles flowed ; Ulysses now, 

By foul aspersions working on my fears, 

Sowed broadcast evil hints, formed dark cabals ; — 

Nor sated yet his malice, till at last, 

With Calchas leagued But why pursue this theme 

Revolting? If ye count all Greeks as one, 
Alike abhorred, what need to hear me more ? 
Swift vengeance take — 'twill please Ulysses much, 
And yield the sons of Atreus priceless joy." 

c His feigned reluctance spurred us but the more 120 

To probe th' unsounded depths of Grecian guile. 
Much urged, his tale of falsehood he resumed : — 
" Long wished our chiefs, disheartened with the siege, 
To quit these hated shores and homeward steer ; 
And could my prayers have sped them, they had gone : 
But oft ere sails were set, tempestuous gales 
Rose in their teeth and chilled their souls with fear. 
Yet wilder raged the storm, convulsing heaven, 
When stood within their camp yon mystic Horse. 
Sent to consult the God, Eurypylus 130 

Brings from Apollo's fane this dread response : 
5 Blood of a Virgin slain appeased the winds 



AENIDOS, LIB. II 9 

Illi me comitem et consanguinitate propinquum 

Pauper in arma pater primis hue misit ab annis. 

Dum stabat regno incolumis regumque vigebat 

Consiliis, et nos aliquod nomenque decusque 

Gessimus. Invidia postquam pellacis Ulixi — 90 

Haud ignota loquor — superis concessit ab oris 

Adflictus vitam in tenebris luctuque trahebam, 

Et casum insontis mecum indignabar amici. 

Nee tacui demens, et me, fors si qua tulisset, 

Si patrios umquam remeassem victor ad Argos, 

Promisi ultorem, et verbis odia aspera movi. 

Hinc mihi prima mali labes, hinc semper Ulixes 

Criminibus terrere novis, hinc spargere voces 

In volgum ambiguas, et quaerere conscius arma. 

Nee requievit enim, donee Calchante ministro — 100 

Sed quid ego haec autem nequiquam ingrata revolvo ? 

Quidve moror, si omnes uno ordine habetis Achivos, 

Idque audire sat est ? Iamdudum sumite poenas ; 

Hoc Ithacus velit, et magno mercentur Atridae. 



Turn vero ardemus scitari et quaerere caussas, 
Ignari scelerum tantorum artisque Pelasgae. 
Prosequitur pavitans, et ficto pectore fatur : 

Saepe fugam Danai Troia cupiere relicta 
Moliri et longo fessi discedere bello j 

Fecissentque utinam ! saepe illos aspera ponti no 

Interclusit hiemps, et terruit Auster euntes. 
Praecipue, cum iam hie trabibus contextus acernis 
Staret equus, toto sonuerunt aethere nimbi. 
Suspensi Eurypylum scitatum oracula Phoebi 
Mittimus, isque adytis haec tristia dicta reportat : 
c Sanguine placastis ventos et virgine caesa, 



10 jENEID, BOOK II 

When to these shores ye came ; with blood once more 

Win your return — a Grecian soul must die.' 

All hearts were chilled with fear and dire suspense : 

What victim claimed the God ? what forfeit life 

Was doomed ? Ulysses 'mid the panic storm 

Leads Calchas forth, and bids the seer declare 

What means the oracle ; 'twas then my friends 

Forewarned me of the arch-deceiver's wiles, 140 

Or felt the dread their lips forbore to speak. 

Ten days the prophet, shrinking to pronounce 

The doom of death, refrained ; at last o'erruled 

By that fierce chief, the word concerted spoke, 

And me th' atoning sacrifice proclaimed. 

All welcomed this award : each gladly hailed 

The fate himself abhorred, reserved for me ! 

The dreadful day drew near ;,the fillet bands 

Were twined, the votive gifts prepared. I broke 

My bonds — why blush to tell r — and fled for life. 1 50 

Couched in a sedgy swamp all night I lay, 

Till favouring breeze should fill their home-bound sails : * 

And now my long-lost home, my sire thrice-loved, 

No more these eyes shall see, nor children dear, 

Whose unoffending heads must pay the debt 

Of hate unquenched, and expiate Sinon's crime. 

But thou, O king — if there be Powers on high 

That hear mv words and witness to their truth — 

irfaith yet finds a home with mortal men, 

Save one by sorrows tried and crushed with wrong." 160 

c His recreant life was spared : good Priam's soul 
Melted with pity as he bade them loose 
The captive's bonds, and gracious words he spake : 
" Henceforth, though born a Greek, forget the name, 
Make Troy thy home ; but speak, I charge thee, true, 
What means yon giant Horse ? by whom designed ? 
Planned for what end, of piety or war ? " 



A EN ID OS, LIB. II. II 

Cum primum Iliacas, Danai, venistis ad oras ; 

Sanguine quaerendi reditus, animaque litandum 

Argolica.' Volgi quae vox ut venit ad aures, 

Obstupuere animi, gelidusque per ima cucurrit 120 

Ossa tremor, cui fata parent, quern poscat Apollo. 

Hie Ithacus vatem magno Calchanta tumultu 

Protrahit in medios ; quae sint ea numina divom, 

Flagitat. Et mihi iam multi crudele canebant 

Artificis scelus, et taciti ventura videbant. 

Bis quinos silet ille dies, tectusque recusat 

Prodere voce sua quemquam aut opponere morti. 

Vix tandem, magnis Ithaci clamoribus actus, 

Conposito rumpit vocem, et me destinat arae. 

Adsensere omnes, et, quae sibi quisque timebat, 130 

Unius in miseri exitium conversa tulere. 

Iamque dies infanda aderat ; mihi sacra parari, 

Et salsae fruges, et circum tempora vittae ; 

Eripui, fateor, leto me, et vincula rupi, 

Limosoque lacu per noctem obscurus in ulva 

Delitui, dum vela darent, si forte dedissent. 

Nee mihi iam patriam antiquam spes ulla videndi, 

Nee dulces natos exoptatumque parentem ; 

Ouos illi fors ad poenas ob nostra reposcent 

Effugia, et culpam hanc miserorum morte piabunt. 140 

Quod te per superos et conscia numina veri, 

Per, si qua est quae restat adhuc mortalibus usquam 

Intemerata fides, oro, miserere laborum 

Tantorum, miserere animi non digna ferentis. 

His lacrimis vitam damus, et miserescimus ultro. 
Ipse viro primus manicas atque arta levari 
Vincla iubet Priamus, dictisque ita fatur amicis : 
Quisquis es, amissos hinc iam obliviscere Graios ; 
Noster eris, mihique haec edissere vera roganti : 
Quo molem hanc inmanis equi statuere ? quis auctor ? 150 
Quidve petunt ? quae religio ? aut quae machina belli ? 



12 sENEID, BOOK II. 

c Extending heavenward his unfettered arms, 
The caitiff, steeped in native craft, replied : 
" Witness, ye everlasting fires of Heaven ! 170 

And Vesta, thou, inviolable name ! 
Ye altars that but now your victim craved, 
Ye sacrificial bands that wreathed my brow ! 
No ties of race or country bind me more : 
No law forbids their counsels to divulge, 
And hate for hate return. Be ye but true 
To me, as I to Troy — my life preserved 
With loyal service shall o'erpay the boon. 

' " From first to last our Argive chiefs reposed 
Their hopes of victory on Minerva's aid : 180 

But since with hands profane the impious pair, 
The son of Tydeus with Ulysses leagued, 
The dread Palladium ravished from her fane, 
Its guardians foully slew, the hallowed bands 
And emblems of the virgin Goddess soiled 
With gory hands, thenceforth the might of Greece 
Declined, their spirit fell ; the Maid Divine 
Smiled on their cause no more. Her wrath displayed 
No dubious portents : placed within the camp, 
The effigy with fiery eyeballs glared ; 190 

Sweat trickled from the limbs, thrice from the ground 
The indignant Goddess sprang and clashed her arms. 
Then Calchas, versed in auguries, declares 
That never should the towers of Troy be razed 
By Grecian arms till, ocean crossed once more, 
Our baffled host at Argive shrines should seek 
New omens, and with fivouring Gods return. 
Then doubt not now their fleet to Hellas sailed, 
With prows reversed, and strength renewed, ere long 
To startle Troy. Meanwhile this votive Horse, 200 

To Pallas dedicate, their hands have raised 
In expiation of her rifled fane ; 



A ENID OS, LIB. II. 1 3 

Dixerat. Ille, dolis instructus et arte Pelasga, 

Sustulit exutas vinclis ad sidera palmas: 

Vos, aeterni ignes, et non violabile Vestas 

Testor numen, ait, vos arae ensesque nefandi, 

Quos fugi, vittaeque deum, quas hostia gessi : 

Fas mi hi Graiorum sacrata resolvere iura, 

Fas odisse viros, atque omnia ferre sub auras, 

Si qua tegunt ; teneor patriae nee legibus ullis. 

Tu modo promissis maneas, servataque serves 160 

Troia fidem, si vera feram, si magna rependam. 

Omnis spes Danaum et coepti fiducia belli 
Palladis auxiliis semper stetit. Impius ex quo 
Tydides sed enim scelerumque inventor Ulixes, 
Fatale adgressi sacrato avellere templo 
Palladium, caesis summae custodibus arcis, 
Corripuere sacram effigiem, manibusque cruentis 
Virgineas ausi divae contingere vittas, 
Ex illo fluere ac retro sublapsa referri 

Spes Danaum, fractae vires, aversa deae mens. 170 

Nee dubiis ea signa dedit Tritonia monstris. 
Vix positum castris simulacrum : arsere coruscae 
Luminibus flammae arrectis, salsusque per artus 
Sudor iit, terque ipsa solo — mirabile dictu — 
Emicuit, parmamque ferens hastamque trementem. 
Extemplo tentanda fuga canit aequora Calchas, 
Nee posse Argolicis exscindi Pergama telis, 
Omina ni repetant Argis, numenque reducant, 
Quod pelago et curvis secum avexere carinis. 
Et nunc, quod patrias vento petiere Mycenas, 180 

Arma deosque parant comites, pelagoque remenso 
Inprovisi aderunt. Ita digerit omina Calchas. 
Hanc pro Palladio moniti, pro numine laeso 
Effigiem statuere, nefas quae triste piaret. 



14 MNEID, BOOK II 

Thus vast in stature and in bulk designed, 

Lest, dragged within your gates, it shield the town ; 

For thus the Seer declared : If impious hands 

Profane the hallowed gift, disastrous doom 

(Which Heaven forefend !) on Priam's realm shall fall : 

But, once within your walls the image placed, 

The curse on us recoils, and Asia leagued 

'Gainst Pelop's walls shall turn the tide of war." 2io 



c Such arts prevailed ; the perjured traitor's wiles 
A victory gained which arms had never won, 
Not Diomed, nor Phthia's mighty chief, 
Ten years of siege or fleet of thousand sails ! 

1 But now a prodigy of import dread, 
With harrowing sight appals th' unthinking crowd ; 
Laocoon, Neptune's Priest, by lot assigned, 
Was offering to his God a lusty steer, 
When o'er the ocean surface borne were seen 
Two serpents, huge in bulk, of hideous form : 220 

Breasting the waves, from Tenedos they came 
Trailing along the deep their sinuous length, 
While high their fiery-crested fronts they reared. 
Now through the curdling surf they plunge ashore, 
Flashing the terrors of their blood-red eyes, 
And dripping venom from their quivering tongues. 
All fled dismayed. They for the altar make, 
Where stands Laocoon : first, with supple folds, 
Clasping the writhing forms of his twin sons, 
They grind the tender limbs ; then round the sire, 230 

Struggling to free his darlings from their grasp, 
Their knotted bands they wind, about his waist 
Twice wrapped and doubly circling round his neck, 
While o'er his head their hissing throats they heave. 



AENIDOS, LIB. If. I 5 

Hanc tamen inmensam Calchas attollere moleni 

Roboribus textis caeloque educere iussit, 

Ne recipi portis, aut duci in moenia posset, 

Neu populum antiqua sub religione tueri. 

Nam si vestra manus violasset dona Minervae, 

Turn magnum exitium — quod di prius omen in ipsum 190 

Convertant ! — Priami inperio Phrygibusque futurum ; 

Sin manibus vestris vestram ascendisset in urbem, 

Ultro Asiam magno Pelopea ad moenia bello 

Venturam, et nostros ea fata manere nepotes. 
Talibus insidiis periurique arte Sinonis 

Credita res, captique dolis lacrimisque coactis, 

Ouos neque Tydides, nee Larissaeus Achilles, 

Non anni domuere decern, non mille carinae. 
Hie aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum 

Obiicitur magis, atque inprovida pectora turbat. 200 

Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos, 

Sollemnes taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras. 

Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta — 

Horresco referens — inmensis orbibus angues 

Incumbunt pelago, pariterque ad litora tendunt ; 

Pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque 

Sanguineae superant undas ; pars cetera pontum 

Pone legit sinuatque inmensa volumine terga ; 

Fit sonitus spumante sab. Iamque arva tenebant, 

Ardentesque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni, 210 

Sibila lambebant Unguis vibrantibus ora. 

Diffugimus visu exsangues. Illi agmine certo 

Laocoonta petunt ; et primum parva duorum 

Corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque 

Inplicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus ; 

Post ipsum, auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem, 

Corripiunt, spirisque ligant ingentibus ; et iam 

Bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum 

Terga dati, superant capite et cervicibus altis. 



1 6 ^ENEID, BOOK II 

Vainly he strives with blood-besprinkled hands • 

To rend the scaly links that gird him round, 

Piercing the air with shrieks like maddened ox 

Grazed by the stroke of glancing axe ill-aimed 

At altar side. Their deadly errand done, 

Swift to the Temple's roof the monsters glide 240 

Where Pallas sits ; there round the image coiled, 

Beneath her ample aegis make their lair. 

' All hearts are thrilled with terror ; all declare 
Laocoon by presumptuous crime had earned 
His awful doom, since his ill-omened lance 
Had pierced the mystic Horse, to Pallas vowed. 
To draw within the town that image dread, 
And Heaven's just wrath appease, was now the cry. 
All lend a willing hand ; they breach the walls, 
And clear a passage wide ; beneath the feet 250 

Huge rollers drive, and round the monster's neck 
The well-strained cable twine : pregnant with death, 
Th' unwieldy fabric totters through the breach ; 
Maidens and youths exulting paeans chant, 
And pluck the cords for joy ! Along the streets 
It glides, and beetles o'er the roofs of Troy. 
O Ilium, O my country ! dear to Heaven 
Of old Jr now doomed ! Thrice, ere it cleared the wall, 
Falt'ring the monster stood : thrice from within 
Smote on insensate ears the clang of arms. 260 

We, lost to thought, rush headlong on our fate, 
And in our fortress lodge the ambushed foe ; 
Then poured Cassandra her prophetic strains, 
Lost on unheeding ears ; so Heaven ordained. 
Blind to the last, the Trojans deck their fanes 
With festal garlands, on the eve of doom. 

' Night falls : her shadow droops o'er earth and sea, 
Shrouding the Grecian wiles ; the sons of Troy, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. I J 

Ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos, 220 

Perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno, 

Clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit : 

Quales mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram 

Taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim. 

At gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones 

Effugiurit saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem, 

Sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur. 

Turn vero tremefacta novus per pectora cunctis 

Insinuat pavor, et scelus expendisse merentem 

Laocoonta ferunt, sacrum qui cuspide robur 230 

Laeserit et tergo sceleratam intorserit hastam. 

Ducendum ad sedes simulacrum orandaque divae 

Numina conclamant. 

Dividimus muros et moenia pandimus urbis. 

Accingunt omnes operi, pedibusque rotarum 

Subiiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo 

Intendunt. Scandit fatalis machina muros, 

Feta armis. Pueri circum innuptaeque puellae 

Sacra canunt, funemque manu contingere gaudent. 

Ilia subit, mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi. 240 

O patria, o divom domus Ilium, et incluta bello 

Moenia Dardanidum ! quater ipso in limine portae 

Substitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere ; 

Instamus tamen inmemores caecique furore, 

Et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce. 

Tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris 

Ora, dei iussu non umquam credita Teucris. 

Nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset 

Ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem. 



Vertitur interea caelum et ruit oceano Nox, 250 

Involvens umbra magna terramque poiumque 
Myrmidonumque dolos ; fusi per moenia Teucri 

c 



1 8 J£A r EID, BOOK II. 

Through all the town dispersed, are sunk in sleep. 
And now the hour had come ; the moon shone fair, 270 
When, as the royal bark showed signal flame, 
Freighted with all their host the Argive fleet 
Stood out from Tenedos, for Dardan shores 
On fatal voyage bound. Within the walls 
False Sinon, favoured by malignant Gods, 
The bolt withdraws, and from their lair sets free 
The prisoned band of warriors. Forth they come, 
Thessander, Sthenelus, Achilles' son 
Fierce Pyrrhus, Acamas, and Thoas next, 
Machaon, and Ulysses, dreadful name ! 280 

With Menelaus and Epeiis keen 
Whose brain devised the plot. By cords let down, 
The chiefs surprise th' unwary town, in wine 
And slumber steeped ; the sentries at their posts 
They slay ; their comrades through the unclosed gates 
Admit, and marshal their confederate bands. 
c 'Twas in the early watches of the night, 
When heaven-sent slumber lightens human care, 
Methought great Hector's self beside my couch 
Appeared — his aspect full of grief, his eyes 290 

Suffused with tears — so looked he as of late 
Dragged at the victor's chariot wheels, all stained 
With dust, and dark with gore — his livid feet 
Pierced with the cruel thongs. Ah me ! how changed 
From that proud Hector who returned from fight 
Clad in Achilles' spoils, or from the ships 
Ablaze with brands his conquering arm had hurled. 
Lo ! now his beard unkempt, his clotted hair, 
And on his breast the scars of many a wound 
In mortal combat round the walls endured. 300 

Weeping I gazed, and words of anguish rose 
Unbidden to my lips : " O light of Troy ! 
Hope of our race ! whence art thou ? why so long 



A E NEW 'OS, LIB. II 19 

Conticuere ; sopor fessos conplectitur artus. 

Et iam Argiva phalanx instructis navibus ibat 

A Tenedo, tacitae per arnica silentia lunae 

Litora nota petens, flammas cum regia puppis 

Extulerat, fatisque deum defensus iniquis 

Inclusos utero Danaos et pinea furtim 

Laxat claustra Sinon. Ulos patefactus ad auras 

Reddit equus, laetique cavo se robore promunt 260 

Thessandrus Sthenelusque duces et dims Ulixes, 

Demissum lapsi per funem, Acamasque, Thoasque, 

Pelidesque Neoptolemus, primusque Machaon, 

Et Menelaus, et ipse doli fabricator Epeus. 

Invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam ; 

Caeduntur vigiles, portisque patentibus omnes 

Accipiunt socios atque agmina conscia iungunt. 



Tempus erat, quo prima quies mortalibus aegris 
Incipit et dono divom gratissima serpit. 
In somnis, ecce, ante oculos maestissimus Hector 270 

Visus adesse mihi, largosque effundere fletus, 
Raptatus bigis, ut quondam, aterque cruento 
Pulvere, perque pedes traiectus lora tumentes. 
Hei mihi, qualis erat ! quantum mutatus ab illo 
Hectore, qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli, 
Vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignis ! 
Squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines 
Volneraque ilia gerens, quae circum plurima muros 
Accepit patrios. Ultro flens ipse videbar 
Compellare virum et maestas expromere voces : 280 

O lux Dardaniae, spes o fidissima Teucrum, 
Quae tantae tenuere morae ? quibus Hector ab oris 



20 &NEID, BOOK II. 

Delayed thy coming ? Ah what travail sore, 

What sad bereavement of thy comrades slain 

Hath Ilium borne, impatient to behold 

Her Hector, long desired, in arms once more. 

But say, what foul despite thy gracious form 

Hath thus defaced ? what mean those ghastly wounds ? " 

c Here failed my speech : he to such aimless words 310 
No answer deigned, but deeply groaning, " Fly, 
Fly hence," he cried, " ere yet the surging flames 
Arrest thee— all is lost — our walls admit 
The foe — proud Ilium from her summit falls : 
Troy and her princely race can ask no more : 
Could arm of man have saved our sinking state, 
That arm was mine ! To thee thy country now 
Commits — high trust — her tutelary Gods ; 
Bear with thee in thy flight those relics dear, 
And in thy new-built Troy beyond the main 320 

Restore their ruined fanes." With that, he snatched 
From Vesta's shrine the unextinguished fire, 
The fillet bands, and Effigy divine. 

' Meanwhile a wildering roar of sounds confused 
The city filled : though from the din retired 
And screened with trees Anchises' mansion stood, 
E'en there the uproar wild and clash of arms 
Louder and louder came. From slumber roused, 
I climbed the roof and strained my listening ears. 
Such was the roar as when, by southern gales 330 

Tempestuous fanned, devouring flame o'erruns 
The billowy corn ; or rain-swoln mountain stream 
Lays some fair landscape waste, the cultured fields, 
Fond hope of swains, despoils ; th' uprooted trees 
Sweeps down its torrent course : from distant height 
Aghast the shepherd hears the tempest's wrack. 
Disguise was needless now — the Grecian wiles 
Told their own tale. Thy stately mansion first, 



AENE1D0S, LIB. II. 21 

Exspectate venis ? ut te post multa tuorum 

Funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores 

Defessi aspicimus ! quae caussa indigna serenos 

Foedavit voltus ? aut cur haec volnera cerno ? 

Ille nihil, nee me quaerentem vana moratur, 

Sed grayiter gemitus imo de pectore ducens, 

Heu fuge, nate dea, teque his, ait, eripe flammis. 

Hostis habet muros ; ruit alto a culmine Troia. 290 

Sat patriae Priamoque datum : si Pergama dextra 

Defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent : 

Sacra suosque tibi commendat Troia Penatis : 

Hos cape fatorum comites, his moenia quaere 

Magna, pererrato statues quae denique ponto. 

Sic ait, et manibus vittas Vestamque potentem 

Aeternumque adytis effert penetralibus ignem. 



Diverso interea miscentur moenia luctu, 
Et magis atque magis, quamquam secreta parentis 
Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit, 300 

Clarescunt sonitus, armorumque ingruit horror. 
Excutior somno, et summi fastigia tecti 
Ascensu supero, atque arrectis auribus adsto : 
In segetem veluti cum flamma furentibus austris 
Incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens 
Sternit agros, sternit sata laeta boumque labores, 
Praecipitesque trahit silvas, stupet inscius alto 
Accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor. 
Turn vero manifesta fides, Danaumque patescunt 
Insidiae. lam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam 310 



22 JENEID, BOOK II. 

Deiphobus, the wasting flames laid low, 

Thine next, Ucalegon — the glistening waves 340 

Beyond Sigeum's cape threw back the glare. 

Then rose the battle-shout and trumpet's bray : 

I seize my arms, but my distracted brain 

No counsel yields : perchance a trusty band 

To rally and hold out the citadel 

Might yet avail : — but frenzy sways my mind 

Irresolute : anon the thought recurs, 

'Twere glorious end to die a soldier's death. 

c Lo ! Pantheus, scarce escaped the Grecian spears, 
The son of Othrys and Apollo's Priest, 350 

His unshrined Gods and sacred vessels bears, 
His youthful grandchild clinging to his side, 
And rushes, wild with terror, to my gate. 
" Ho ! Pantheus," I exclaim, " how fares the cause ? 
What stronghold seize we now ? " He with deep sigh 
Replies, " Alas ! my friend, the end is come, 
The hour of Troy's inevitable doom. 
No country now is ours, no common name : 
Our race, our glories, live but in the past. 
Remorseless Jove to Greece transfers the sway, 360 

The Argive lords it in our blazing streets. 
Towering aloft the accursed Horse pours forth 
His warrior brood, while glorying in his wiles 
False Sinon deals the fiery brands around. 
Such hosts Mycenae never sent to war 
As throng our unclosed gates — the streets are barred 
With serried foes — a rampart of bright steel 
Glistens with sword-points fixed — amid the gloom 
Surprised our sentries scarce make feint to fight." 

' Such tidings Pantheus in his terror gave : 370 

Fired at his words, and by some Fury driven, 
I plunged amid the fray where fiercest shrieks 
Of Discord rose, and Havoc deadliest raged. 



AEXEIDOS, LIB. II. 23 

Volcano superante domus, iam proxumus ardet 
Ucalegon ; Sigea igni freta lata relucent. 
Exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum. 
Arma amens capio ; nee sat rationis in armis ; 
Sed glomerare manum bello et concurrere in arcem 
Cum sociis ardent animi ; furor iraque mentem 
Praecipitant, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis. 



Ecce autem telis Panthus elapsus Achivom, 
Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos, 
Sacra manu victosque deos parvumque nepotem 320 

Ipse trahit, cursuque amens ad limina tendit. 
Quo res summa loco, Panthu ? quam prendimus arcem ? 
Vix ea fatus erarn, gemitu cum talia reddit : 
Venit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus 
Dardaniae. Fuimus Troes, fuit Ilium et ingens 
Gloria Teucrorum ; ferus omnia Iuppiter Argos 
Transtulit : incensa Danai dominantur in urbe. 
Arduus armatos mediis in moenibus adstans 
Fundit equus, victorque Sinon incendia miscet 
Insultans. Portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, 330 

Millia quot magnis nunquam venere Mycenis ; 
Obsedere alii telis angusta viarum 
Oppositi j stat ferri acies mucrone corusco 
Stricta, parata neci ; vix primi proelia temptant 
Portarum vigiles, et caeco Marte resistunt. 
Talibus Othryadae dictis et numine divom 
In flammas et in arma feror, quo tristis Erinys, 
Quo fremitus vocat et sublatus ad aethera clamor. 



24 JENEID, BOOK II 

First, as it chanced, the moon's uncertain light 

Brought Ripheus to my side, and Epytus 

For feats of war renowned ; next Hypanis 

With Dymas joined, and Mygdon's gallant son 

Choroebus : he, distracted with the love 

Of young Cassandra, to King Priam's aid 

For her dear sake his well-armed succours led. 380 

O that the plighted maid's ecstatic strains 

Had warned him of his doom ! When now I marked 

These generous youths in courage unsubdued, 

" Brave friends," I cried, "but brave in vain ; if yet 

Ye dare to follow one who dares the worst, 

Mark in what plight we stand. The powers Divine, 

Erewhile our empire's strength, forsake their shrines ; 

Our city sunk in ashes, all is lost : 

Then charge yon foemen's ranks and die for Troy — 

Who cease to hope find courage in despair." 390 

c My words inspired new ardour : fierce as wolves 
Whom Hunger's pangs at nightfall drive abroad, 
Or quest of plunder for their ravening whelps, 
'Mid sword and flame, each step confronting death, 
We scour the town ; deep gloom o'ershadows all. 
The carnage and the horrors of that night 
What tongue can tell, what flood of tears bewail r 
Reft of her ancient state a city falls, 
Her streets, her ravished homes, her hallowed fanes 
Choked with the corpses of unnumbered slain. 400 

Nor Troy alone the brunt of battle bears, 
Her vanquished sons take heart awhile, and Greeks 
Fall in their turn — on every side is death 
In myriad forms, and anguish and dismay. 

c Androgeos, captain of a Grecian band, 
First, in the gloom encountering, deems us friends, 
And not ungently chides — " On, laggards, on ! 
Why linger thus ? your comrades, more alert, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 25 

Addunt se socios Rhipeus et maxumus armis 

Epytus, oblati per lunam, Hypanisque Dymasque, 340 

Et lateri adglomerant nostro, iuvenisque Coroebus, 

Mygdonides. Illis ad Troiam forte diebus 

Venerat, insano Cassandrae incensus amore, 

Et gener auxilium Priamo Phrygibusque ferebat, 

Infelix, qui non sponsae praecepta furentis 

Audierit. 

Quos ubi confertos audere in proelia vidi, 

Incipio super his : Iuvenes, fortissima frustra 

Pectora, si vobis audentem extrema cupido 

Certa sequi, quae sit rebus fortuna videtis : 350 

Excessere omnes, adytis arisque relictis, 

Di, quibus inperium hoc steterat ; succurritis urbi 

Incensae ; moriamur, et in media arma ruamus. 

Una salus victis, nu.Uam sperare salutem. 

Sic animis iuvenum furor additus. Inde, lupi ceu 

Raptores atra in nebula, quos inproba ventris 

Exegit caecos rabies, catulique relicti 

Faucibus exspectant siccis, per tela, per hostes 

Vadimus haud dubiam in mortem, mediaeque tenemus 

Urbis iter ; nox atra cava circumvolat umbra. 360 

Quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando 

Explicet, aut possit lacrimis aequare labores ? 

Urbs antiqua ruit, multos dominata per annos ; 

Plurima perque vias sternuntur inertia passim 

Corpora perque domos et religiosa deorum 

Limina. Nee soli poenas dant sanguine Teucri ; 

Quondam etiam victis redit in praecordia virtus 

Victoresque cadunt Danai. Crudelis ubique 

Luctus, ubique pavor, et plurima mortis imago. 

Primus se, Danaum magna comitante caterva, 370 

Androgeos offert nobis, socia agmina credens 
Inscius, atque ultro verbis compellat amicis : 
Festinate, viri. Nam quae tarn sera moratur 



26 ALhEID, BOOK II 

Already rack and strip the burning town ; 

Ye from your ships thus slowly wend." He spoke, 410 

And in a moment, meeting scant response, 

Knew us for foes : at once his step was stayed, 

His voice was dumb. As traveller in the brake 

Treads on the couching serpent unawares, 

And back recoils affrighted as he marks 

The monster's turgid throat and eyes of flame ; 

So the swift Greeks sprang back, but all too late ; 

Hemmed in, bewildered in the tangling maze 

Of unknown paths, they fall an easy prey : 

On our first venture treacherous Fortune smiles. 420 

Cheered with unhoped success, Chorcebus cries, 

" Where Fortune points the way 'tis wisdom's part 

To follow in her track : exchange we now 

Our Trojan armour with the fallen foe, 

And mask us in his spoils ! the battle o'er, 

Who asks if craft or valour won the day ? " 

This said, he seized the Greek's emblazoned shield, 

Placed on his head the casque with nodding plume, 

And girt the Argive falchion to his side ; 

Next Dymas, Ripheus, and their comrades all 430 

Assume the garb and emblems of the foe : 

Then mingling with the Greeks we range the town, 

And, favoured by the night, in many a fray 

Victorious lay th' invaders in the dust — 

Some wait not combat, but with panic seized 

Fly to their ships : a coward few remount 

The sheltering Horse, and couch them in his womb. 

c Ah ! bootless brief success, unblest of Heaven ! 
Lo ! with dishevelled hair and frantic mien 
Cassandra, from the tutelary shrine 440 

Of Pallas dragged a captive, lifts in vain 
Her flashing eyes to Heaven ; — her tender hands 
By bonds confined. Infuriate at the sight, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 27 

Segnities ? alii rapiunt incensa feruntque 

Pergama ; vos celsis nunc primum a navibus itis. 

Dixit, ex extemplo, neque enim responsa dabantur 

Fida satis, sensit medios delapsus in hostes. 

Obstipuit, retroque pedem cum voce repressit. 

Inprovisum aspris veluti qui sentibus anguem 

Pressit humi nitens, trepidusque repente refugit 380 

Attollentem iras et caerula colla tumentem ; 

Haud secus Androgeos visu tremefactus abibat. 

Inruimus, densis et circumfundimur armis, 

Ignarosque loci passim et formidine captos 

Sternimus. Adspirat primo fortuna labori. 

Atque hie successu exsultans animisque Coroebus, 

O socii, qua prima, inquit, fortuna salutis 

Monstrat iter, quaque ostendit se dextra, sequamur : 

Mutemus clipeos, Danaumque insignia nobis 

Aptemus. Dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat ? 390 

Arma dabunt ipsi. Sic fatus, deinde comantem 

Androgei galeam clipeique insigne decorum 

Induitur, laterique Argivum adcommodat ensem. 

Hoc Rhipeus, hoc ipse Dymas omnisque iuventus 

Laeta facit ; spoliis se quisque recentibus armat. 

Vadimus inmixti Danais haud numine nostro, 

Multaque per caecam congressi proelia noctem 

Conserimus, multos Danaum demittimus Oreo. 

Diffugiunt alii ad naves, et litora cursu 

Fida petunt : pars ingentem formidine turpi 400 

Scandunt rursus equum et nota conduntur in alvo. 

Heu nihil invitis fas quemquam fidere divis ! 
Ecce trahebatur passis Priameia virgo 
Crinibus a templo Cassandra adytisque Minervae, 
Ad caelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra, 
Lumina, nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas. 



28 sEXEID, BOOK II 

Choroebus singly 'gainst a host in arms 
Rushed to his certain fate : reckless alike 
We follow, hemmed around with serried foes. 

' And now our borrowed guise disaster brings : 
Our friends, in turn deceived, on our thinned ranks 
From temple roofs pour down a murderous hail 
Of Dardan spears. Meanwhile the Argive chiefs — 450 
Fired at the rescue of their virgin prize, 
Ajax the bold, the sons of Atreus twain, 
With all the fierce Dolopian infantry, 
Join in one furious charge their severed bands : 
As when the four strong winds of Heaven unchained 
With warring blasts encounter in mid air, 
The creaking forests reel, the Sea God roused 
With his forked sceptre stirs the depths profound, 
And churns the waves to foam. A crowd of foes, 
Whom in the darkness our deceitful arms 460 

Had scattered, rally now ; — at once detect 
Our ensigns feigned and tones unlike their own. 
By numbers crushed we yield : Choroebus first 
By strong Peneleus felled, the altar near 
Of Pallas, Warrior Goddess, breathes his last ; 
Next Ripheus falls, of all the sons of Troy 
Most upright he — of faith inflexible — 
But Heaven so willed ! then Dymas, pierced by friends, 
And Hypanis ; nor could the blameless life 
Of Pantheus nor Apollo's mitre save 470 

His sacred head. Witness, ye dying fires 
Of Troy, ye ashes of her heroes slain, 
In that last conflict from no foe I quailed, 
No danger shunned : had Fate decreed my fall, 
My deeds had earned me no inglorious end. 
Chance now divides our little band : with me 
Went Iphitus, a warrior weak from age, 
And Pelias from the wound Ulysses gave. 



A E NEW OS, LIB. II. 29 

Non tulit hanc speciem furiata mente Coroebus, 

Et sese medium iniecit periturus in agmen. 

Consequimur cuncti et densis incurrimus armis. 

Hie primum ex alto delubri culmine telis 410 

Nostrorum obruimur, oriturque miserrima caedes 

Armorum facie et Graiarum errore iubarum. 

Turn Danai gemitu atque ereptae virginis ira 

Undique collecti invadunt, acerrimus Aiax, 

Et gemini Atridae, Dolopumque exercitus omnis ; 

Adversi rupto ceu quodam turbine venti 

Confligunt, Zephyrusque Notusque et laetus Eois 

Eurus equis ; stridunt silvae, saevitque tridenti 

Spumeus atque imo Nereus ciet aequora fundo. 

Illi etiam, si quos obscura nocte per umbram 420 

Fudimus insidiis totaque agitavimus urbe, 

Adparent ; primi clipeos mentitaque tela 

Adgnoscunt, atque ora sono discordia signant. 

Ilicet obruimur numero ; primusque Coroebus 

Penelei dextra divae armipotentis ad aram 

Procumbit ; cadit et Rhipeus, iustissimus unus 

Qui fuit in Teucris et servantissimus aequi ; 

Dis aliter visum ; pereunt Hypanisque Dymasque 

Confixi a sociis ; nee te tua plurima, Panthu, 

Labentem pietas nee Apollinis infula texit. 430 

Iliaci cineres et flamma extrema meorum, 

Testor, in occasu vestro nee tela nee ullas 

Vitavisse vices Danaum, et, si fata fuissent, 

Ut caderem, meruisse manu. Divellimur inde, 

Iphitus et Pelias mecum, quorum Iphitus aevo 

lam gravior, Pelias et volnere tardus Ulixi ; 



30 ^NEID, BOOK II 

Soon deafening shouts to Priam's mansion call ; 

So furious there the fray, you well might deem 480 

The din of battle and the waste of life 

To that one spot confined. To mount the wall 

With scaling-ladders fixed th' assailants swarm, 

While the huge engine, tortoise-shaped, blockades 

The portal ; step by step th' invading crew 

Press upward j with one hand the sheltering targe 

Uphold, the other grasps the battlement. 

Hard pressed, the Dardan champions from above 

Hurl turrets huge and roof-trees on the foe : 

The gilded cornice and the sculptured frieze, 490 

Pride of ancestral homes, yield weapons now 

To desperate men in dire extremity 

Of life or death ; beneath, a chosen band 

With falchions bared defend the postern gate. 

Our hearts beat high to save th' imperial dome 

From rapine, and revive our drooping friends. 

c Within the palace bounds, a wicket screened 
From view gave covert access through the courts 
Of that vast pile, by which, in happier davs, 
Andromache would bear her infant son 500 

Astyanax to his fond grandsire's arms. 
From thence I climbed the roof, whence few and faint 
The Trojans straggling darts at random thre 
Skirting the roof a lofty watch-tower rose 
Sheer to the sky, whence all the plain of Troy, 
The Grecian camp, and anchored fleet beyond, 
Lay like a map outstretched : with weapon's point, 
Inserted where the loosened tiers give room, 
A breach is made ; the turret, rent and torn, 
In instantaneous ruin topples down, 510 

Crushing a host beneath : still, as they fall 
New swarms press on, nor fails a moment's space 
The ceaseless rain of javelin, brand, and spear. 



A £ NEW OS, LIB. II. 



31 



Protinus ad secies Priami clamore vocati. 

Hie vero ingentem pugnam, ceu cetera nusquam 

Bella forent, nulli tota morerentur in urbe, 

Sic Martem indomitum, Danaosque ad tecta ruentis 440 

Cernimus obsessumque acta testudine limen. 

Haerent parietibus scalae, postesque sub ipsos 

Nituntur gradibus, clipeosque ad tela sinistris 

Protect! obiiciunt, prensant fastigia dextris. 

Dardanidae contra turres ac tecta domorum 

Culmina convellunt ; his se, quando ultima cernunt, 

Extrema iam in morte parant defendere telis ; 

Auratasque trabes, veterum decora alta parentum, 

Devolvunt ; alii strictis mucronibus imas 

Obsedere fores; has servant agmine denso. 450 

Instaurati animi, regis succurrere tectis, 

Auxilioque levare viros, vimque addere victis. 



Limen erat caecaeque fores et pervius usus 
Tectorum inter se Priami, postesque relicti 
A tergo, infelix qua se, dum regna manebant, 
Saepius Andromache ferre incomitata solebat 
Ad soceros, et avo puerum Astyanacta trahebat. 
Evado ad summi fastigia culminis, unde 
Tela manu miseri iactabant inrita Teucri. 
Turrim in praecipiti stantem summisque sub astra 460 

Eductam tectis, unde omnis Troia videri 
Et Danaum solitae naves et Achaica castra, 
Adgressi ferro circum, qua summa labantes 
Iuncturas tabulata dabant, convellimus altis 
Sedibus, inpulimusque ; ea lapsa repente ruinam 
Cum sonitu trahit et Danaum super agmina late 
Incidit. Ast alii subeunt, nee saxa, nee ullum 
Telorum interea cessat genus. 



32 ^NEID, BOOK II 

4 Lo ! Pyrrhus at the gates with conquest flushed, 
Radiant in burnished mail ; as crested snake 
That, with rank herbage bloated, in the earth 
Lay couched and torpid all the winter long ; 
Warmed to new life, his scaly raiment purged, 
Suns in the mid-day beam his glistening coils 
With crest erect, and darts his arrowy tongue. 520 

Automedon, well trained in battle field 
To guide Achilles' car, huge Periphas, 
And all the Scyrian youth, with flaming brands 
Assail the palace roof: the chief himself 
With ponderous axe the massive portal cleaves. 
Crushed by redoubled strokes, the solid oak 
Yields a wide fissure : to rude gaze exposed 
Lies Priam's princely home, the stately courts 
Of Dardan kings of old : across the breach 
Grim warriors, ranged in line, confront their foes. 530 

c Within is tumult all and dire dismay, 
And women's agonising shrieks that pierce 
The skies and through the vaulted chambers ring ; 
Pale mothers run distracted to and fro, 
Clutching the pillars with delirious grasp. 
To Pyrrhus all gives way, nor barriers strong 
Nor stalwart arms arrest him ; like his sire 
In aspect as in might : to giant stroke, 
Unhinged and battered, yields the mighty door. 
Sheer force of arm prevails : the barrier burst, 540 

The sentries slain, the Grecian host pours in 
Resistless as a stream, whose force unpent 
Sweeps pile and mound away, and o'er the plain 
Bursts in a flood, engulfing flocks and folds. 
Within the threshold with these eyes I saw 
Fell Pyrrhus revelling in the gory fray, 
Saw both the hated chiefs of Atreus' line, 
Saw Hecuba with all her weeping train, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 33 

Vestibulum ante ipsum primoque in limine Pyrrhus 
Exsultat, telis et luce coruscus aena ; 470 

Qualis ubi in lucem coluber mala gramina pastus, 
Frigida sub terra tumidum quern bruma tegebat, 
Nunc, positis novus exuviis nitidusque iuventa, 
Lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga 
Arduus ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. 
Una ingens Periphas et equorum agitator Achillis, 
Armiger Automedon, una omnis Scyria pubes 
Succedunt tecto, et flammas ad culmina iactant. 
Ipse inter primos correpta dura bipenni 
Limina perrumpit, postesque a cardine vellit 480 

Aeratos ; iamque excisa trabe firma cavavit 
Robora, et ingentem lato dedit ore fenestram. 
Adparet domus intus, et atria longa patescunt ; 
Adparent Priami et veterum penetralia regum, 
Armatosque vident stantes in limine primo. 

At domus interior gemitu miseroque tumultu 
Miscetur, penitusque cavae plangoribus aedes 
Femineis ululant ; ferit aurea sidera clamor. 
Turn pavidae tectis matres ingentibus errant, 
Amplexaeque tenent postes atque oscula figunt. 490 

Instat vi patria Pyrrhus ; nee claustra, neque ipsi 
Custodes sufferre valent ; labat ariete crebro 
Ianua, et emoti procumbunt cardine postes. 
Fit via vi ; rumpunt aditus, primosque trucidant 
Inmissi Danai, et late loca milite conplent. 
Non sic, aggeribus ruptis cum spumeus amnis 
Exiit oppositasque evicit gurgite moles, 
Fertur in arva furens cumulo, camposque per omnes 
Cum stabulis armenta trahit. Vidi ipse furentem 
Caede Neoptolemum geminosque in limine Atridas ; 500 



34 MNEID, BOOK II 

Wives of a hundred sons ; and, saddest sight, 

The altar hallowed late by Priam's vows 550 

Now reeking with his blood. Beneath that roof 

Were fifty bridal chambers, promise fair 

For heirs of Dardan line ; the couches rich 

With gold and spoils barbaric, all despoiled : 

Fire and the Greek alternate ravage all. 

c Hear now the piteous tale of Priam's end : 
Soon as he learns his captured city's fate, 
His palace stormed, the foemen in his halls, 
The aged chief arrays his trembling limbs— 
Ah ! bootless task — in armour long disused ; 560 

Grasps with weak clutch his unavailing sword, 
And sallies to the fight. An altar vast 
Within the precincts of the palace walls 
Stood open to the sky, and close beside 
An ancient bay-tree, with expanding shade, 
O'ercanopied the shrine. Here Hecuba 
With her fair daughters terror-stricken sat, 
Like flock of cowering doves by tempest scared, 
Clasping the statues of their country's Gods. 
Soon as the Queen her royal spouse beheld 570 

In panoply of arms arrayed, unmeet 
For reverend age, her anguish thus broke forth : 
" What dire resolve is this ? what madness prompts 
To gird thee with these arms, unhappy lord ! 
Not such the champion nor the strength we crave 
In hour of mortal need : 't were bootless now 
Though Hector's self, our loved and lost, were here ! 
Yield now to me : this shrine shall guard us all 
In life or death — a refuge or a tomb." 

Thus Hecuba : submissive to her prayer, 580 

The king within the hallowed pale retires. 
c But now Polites, child of Priam's age, 
Sore wounded by Achilles' vengeful son, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 35 

Vidi Hecubam centumque nurus, Priamumque per aras 
Sanguine foedantem, quos ipse sacraverat, ignes. 
Quinquaginta illi thalami, spes tanta nepotum, 
Barbarico postes auro spoliisque superbi, 
Procubuere ; tenent Danai, qua deficit ignis. 



Forsitan et, Priami fuerint quae fata, requiras. 
Urbis uti captae casum convolsaque vidit 
Limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem, 
Arma diu senior desueta trementibus aevo 
Circumdat nequiquam humeris, et inutile ferrum 510 

Cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostis. 
Aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe 
Ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus, 
Incumbens arae atque umbra conplexa Penatis. 
Hie Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum, 
Praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae, 
Condensae et divom amplexae simulacra sedebant. 
Ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis 
Ut vidit, Quae mens tarn dira, miserrime coniunx, 
Inpulit his cingi telis ? aut quo ruis ? inquit. 520 

Non tali auxilio nee defensoribus istis 
Tempus eget ; non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector. 
Hue tandem concede ; haec ara tuebitur omnes, 
Aut moriere simul. Sic ore effata recepit 
Ad sese et sacra longaevum in sede locavit. 



Ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites, 
Unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostes 

D 2 



36 MNEID, BOOK II. 

Flies, winged by terror, down the long area des, 
Darts through the vacant courts, and strains for life : 
Him Pyrrhus with uplifted arm and spear 
Pursues, in act to strike ; the goal just gained, 
Even at his father's feet the unhappy boy 
Exhausted sinks, and bathed in blood expires. 
Th' indignant king, in agony of soul, 590 

His life, his all at stake, yet felt no fear, 
Nor curbed his righteous ire : " On thee," he cried, 
" For this thy cruel and unnatural deed, 
If justice dwells above, if Gods regard 
Domestic sanctities, shall vengeance fall, 
Inhuman ! who before a father's eyes, 
Trampling on laws divine, couldst slay the son ! 
Unlike to thee, thy falsely-vaunted sire 
Even in a foe could pity grief like mine : 
Achilles reverenced a father's prayer, 600 

Restored my Hector's loved remains, and me 
Sent to my home unharmed." This said, the chief 
Essayed with nerveless arm his spear to fling ; 
The fluttering shaft sped on, but made no dint, 
And in the target's boss innocuous hung. 
Then Pyrrhus, with insulting scorn : " Depart 
Old man, and to my sire, in shades below, 
Tell the ill deeds of his degenerate son. 
Now meet thy fate." He seized the trembling prince, 
Along the red and slippery pavement dragged 610 

E'en to the altar's edge \ the left hand clutched 
The hoary locks, the right as swiftly drew 
The gleaming blade and plunged it in his heart. 
Thus Priam fell, just spared to see the doom 
Of burnt and ravaged Troy ; there, in the dust, 
Once lord of Asia's wide and peopled realm, 
A headless frame, a nameless trunk, he lies. 
' Then speechless horror paralysed my soul. 



A E NEW OS, LIB. II. 27 

Porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat 

Saucius : ilium ardens infesto volnere Pyrrhus 

Insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta : 530 

Ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum, 

Concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit. 

Hie Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur, 

Non tamen abstinuit, nee voci iraeque pepercit : 

At tibi pro scelere, exclamat, pro talibus ausis, 

Di, si qua est caelo pietas, quae talia curet, 

Persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant 

Debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum 

Fecisti et patrios foedasti funere voltus. 

At non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 540 

Talis in hoste fuit Priamo ; sed iura fidemque 

Supplicis erubuit, corpusque exsangue sepulchro 

Reddidit Hectoreum, meque in mea regna remisit. 

Sic fatus senior, telumque inbelle sine ictu 

Coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum 

Et summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit. 

Cui Pyrrhus : Referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis 

Pelidae genitori ; illi mea tristia facta 

Degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento. 

Nunc morere. Hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem 550 

Traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati, 

Inplicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum 

Extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem. 

Haec finis Priami fatorum ; hie exitus ilium 

Sorte tulit, Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem 

Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum 

Regnatorem Asiae. Iacet ingens litore truncus, 

Avolsumque humeris caput, et sine nomine corpus. 



At me turn primum saevus circumstetit horror. 



38 ^ENEID, BOOK II. 

The murdered monarch's form recalled my sire 

In age, in grief the same : with him the thought 620 

Of loved Creusa and Ascanius came, 

Forlorn and helpless in their ravaged home. 

I gazed around me ; all were gone — the few 

Who late kept ward had sunk, with toil outworn, 

Leapt from the walls, or plunged amid the flames. 

c Awhile I stood alone, when in the gloom 
Of Vesta's fane I spied a cowering form ; 
'Twas Helen : as she crept and peered around 
With timorous eyes, the city's fitful glare 
Threw light upon her : she with fear perplexed, 630 

Alternate of her injured husband's wrath, 
The Trojans' vengeance and the Argives' hate; — 
To both th' accursed source of ills untold, — 
Had fled for refuge to the altar's pale. 
Rage grew within me at the sight ; I longed 
To wreak upon her guilty head the wrongs 
Of my lost country. " Shall this child of shame 
Flaunt with our captive daughters in her train, 
Through Sparta or Mycenae, like a queen 
Flushed with the pride of conquest ? greet once more 640 
Home, consort, parents, kindred ? Unavenged 
Shall Priam fall, his city wrapt in flames, 
His soil distained with carnage ? No, by Heaven ! 
For though such conquest o'er a woman won 
Scant honour yield, 't were no unworthy deed 
To execute stern justice on foul crime, 
To glut the thirst of vengeance, and appease 
The injured shades of friends beloved and slain." 

c Thus in the storm and frenzy of my thoughts 
Discoursing with myself I raved, when lo ! 650 

A luminous form athwart the darkness gleamed ; 
My Goddess-mother ! never seemed before 
So heavenly bright the vision : all divine 



A EXE ID OS, LIB. II. 39 

Obstupui ; subiit cari genitoris imago, 560 

Ut regem aequaevum crudeli volnere vidi 

Vitam exhalantem ; subiit deserta Creusa, 

Et direpta domus, et parvi casus Iuli. 

Respicio, et, quae sit me circum copia, lustro. 

Deseruere omnes defessi, et corpora saltu 

Ad,terram misere aut ignibus aegra dedere. 

[Iamque adeo super unus eram, cum limina Vestae 
Servantem et tacitam secreta in sede latentem 
Tyndarida aspicio : dant clara incendia lucem 
Errand passimque oculos per cuncta ferenti. 570 

Ilia sibi infestos eversa ob Pergama Teucros 
Et poenas Danaum et deserti coniugis iras 
Praemetuens, Troiae et patriae communis Erinys, 
Abdiderat sese atque aris invisa sedebat. 
Exarsere ignes animo ; subit ira cadentem 
Ulcisci patriam et sceleratas sumere poenas. 
Scilicet haec Spartam incolumis patriasque Mycenas 
Aspiciet ? partoque ibit regina triumpho, 
Coniugiumque, domumque, patres, natosque videbit, 
Iliadum turba et Phrygiis comitata ministris ? 580 

Occident ferro Priamus ? Troia arserit igni ? 
Dardanium toties sudarit sanguine litus ? 
Non ita. Namque etsi nullum memorabile nomen 
Feminea in poena est nee habet victoria laudem, 
Exstinxisse nefas tamen et sumpsisse merentis 
Laudabor poenas, animumque explesse iuvabit 
Ultricis flammae, et cineres satiasse meorum. 
Talia iactabam, et furiata mente ferebar,] 
Cum mihi se, non ante oculis tarn clara, videndam 
Obtulit et pura per noctem in luce refulsit 590 

Alma parens, confessa deam, qualisque videri 



40 MNEID, BOOK II. 

In form and stature, as she moves on high, 

Among th' Olympian denizens. Her hand 

With soft constraint she laid on me, and spoke : 

" Ah ! why, my son, this transport of wild wrath ? 

Where now for me thy filial fond regard, 

So quickly flown ? unheeded hast thou left 

Thy aged sire, thy wife, thy helpless son ? 660 

If numbered with the living or the dead, 

Unknown to thee j meanwhile the banded Greeks 

Swarm round them ; my protecting hand alone 

'Mid flame and sword preserves them yet unharmed. 

If Ilium sinks in dust, not Helen's form 

Abhorred, nor crime of Paris, but the Gods, 

The immortal Gods incensed, have wrought her fall. 

Lo ! for a space the film of vaporous cloud 

That dims thy mortal eyesight I remove : 

Thou to thy mother's counsels yield, nor aught 670 

She bids mistrust. Mark you those riven piles, 

Huge stones asunder torn, with dust and smoke 

Commingled ? Neptune there with trident armed 

The deep foundations heaves, and from its base 

The city rocks. Beside the Scaean Gate, 

With sword begirt, fell Juno from the ships 

New levies to the deadly onslaught calls : 

See — on the rampart's verge, a cloud-veiled form 

With Gorgon shield refulgent, Pallas sits ; 

Great Jove himself against yon towers incites 680 

The Gods, himself lends courage to the foe. 

Yield then, my son, and quit th' unequal strife, 

My care shall shield and guide thee to thy home." 

She spoke and vanished in the deepening shade — 

Terrific shapes appear : the Gods in arms 

Arrayed — the dread antagonists of Troy. 

4 Now rooted from its base, proud Ilium seemed 
To sink, a ruined pile, amid the flames ; 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 4 1 

Caelicolis et quanta solet, dextraque prehensum 

Continuit, roseoque haec insuper addidit ore : 

Nate, quis indomitas tantus dolor excitat iras ? 

Quid furis ? aut quonam nostri tibi cura recessit ? 

Non prius aspicies, ubi fessum aetate parentem 

Liqueris Anchisen ? superet coniunxne Creusa, 

Ascaniusque puer ? quos omnes undique Graiae 

Circumerrant acies, et, ni mea cura resistat, 

lam flammae tulerint inimicus et hauserit ensis. 600 

Non tibi Tyndaridis facies invisa Lacaenae 

Culpatusve Paris, divom inclementia, divom, 

Has evertit opes sternitque a culmine Troiam. 

Aspice — namque omnem, quae nunc obducta tuenti 

Mortalis hebetat visus tibi et humida circum 

Caligat, nubem eripiam ; tu ne qua parentis 

Iussa time, neu praeceptis parere recusa — 

Hie, ubi disiectas moles avolsaque saxis 

Saxa vides mixtoque undantem pulvere fumum, 

Neptunus muros magnoque emota tridenti 610 

Fundamenta quatit totamque a sedibus urbem 

Eruit. Hie Iuno Scaeas saevissima portas 

Prima tenet, sociumque furens a navibus agmen 

Ferro accincta vocat. 

lam summas arces Tritonia, respice, Pallas 

Insedit, nimbo effulgens et Gorgone saeva. 

Ipse Pater Danais animos viresque secundas 

Sufficit, ipse deos in Dardana suscitat arma. 

Eripe, nate, fugam, finemque inpone labori. 

Nusquam abero, et tutum patrio te limine sistam. 620 

Dixerat, et spissis noctis se condidit umbris. 

Adparent dirae facies inimicaque Troiae 

Numina magna deum. 

Turn vero omne mihi visum considere in ignes 
Ilium et ex imo verti Neptunia Troia ; 



42 ^ENEID, BOOK II 

Like ancient mountain-ash on summit steep, 

That woodmen striving with redoubled blows 690 

Of echoing axe assail : the mighty stem 

Bows to the storm awhile its leaf-crowned head 

Impending to its fall ; till, stroke by stroke 

Asunder cleft, it sinks with parting groan, 

And strews, a giant wreck, the mountain side. 

Safe in my heavenly guardian's charge I pass 

Uninjured through the thickest of the fight, 

The flames give room, the darts are turned aside. 

c Now, reached at length my old ancestral home, 
My sire; whom first my anxious soul desired 700 

To bear for safety to some mountain hold, 
Refuses to outlive his country's fall 
Or tempt an exile's fate. " P'or you," he cried, 
u Whose pulses warmly beat, whose youthful limbs 
Are braced with sinewy strength, 'tis well to seek 
New homes beyond the main ; had Heaven designed 
To lengthen my brief span, its hand had spared 
These ancient loved abodes : enough for me 
That Troy once captured, I survived her fall : — 
Let this suffice ; — go, bid these poor remains 710 

A solemn last farewell : the parting stroke 
Myself will give ; perchance the foe that spoils 
Will pity too : — to lie unsepulchred 
Afflicts not me, who many a lingering year 
Endure the burthen of a life unblest, 
Scathed by the lightning-blast of angry Jove." 

c Thus deeply-rooted in his stern resolve 
Anchises spoke ; his weeping household all 
With prayers and fond remonstrance strove to bend 
His stubborn purpose, lest the fate he sought, 720 

Unheedful of himself, should ruin all. 
He stirs not nor relents. Incensed, I long 
To fling me on the foe and end my woes, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 43 

Ac veluti summis antiquam in montibus ornum 

Cum ferro accisam crebrisque bipennibus instant 

Eruere agricolae certatim ; ilia usque minatur 

Et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat, 

Volneribus donee paulatim evicta supremum 630 

Congemuit traxitque iugis avolsa ruinam. 

Descendo, ac ducente deo fiammam inter et hostes 

Expedior ; dant tela locum, flammaeque recedunt. 



Atque ubi iam patriae perventum ad limina sedis 
Antiquasque domos, genitor, quern tollere in altos 
Optabam primum montes primumque petebam, 
Abnegat excisa vitam producere Troia 
Exsiliumque pati. Vos o, quibus integer aevi 
Sanguis, ait, solidaeque suo stant robore vires, 
Vos agitate fugam. 640 

Me si caelicolae voluissent ducere vitam, 
Has mihi servassent sedes. Satis una superque 
Vidimus exscidia et captae superavimus urbi. 
Sic o, sic positum adfati discedite corpus. 
Ipse manu mortem inveniam j miserebitur hostis 
Exuviasque petet ; facilis iactura sepulchri. 
Iam pridem invisus divis et inutilis annos 
Demoror, ex quo me divom pater atque hominum rex 
Fulminis adflavit ventis et contigit igni. 



Talia perstabat memorans, fixusque manebat. 650 

Nos contra effusi lacrimis coniunxque Creusa 
Ascaniusque omnisque domus, ne vertere secum 
Cuncta pater fatoque urgenti incumbere vellet. 
Abnegat, inceptoque et sedibus haeret in isdem. 
Rursus in arma feror, mortemque miserrimus opto, 



44 sENEID, BOOK II 

Since counsel failed and fortune treacherous proved. 

" Heard I aright, and couldst thou bid thy son 

(O words unseemly for a father's lips !) 

To quit these shores and leave thee to thy fate ? 

If Heaven's high will of all that once was Troy 

No remnant leaves, and thy resolve consigns 

Home, children, kindred, to the common doom, 730 

Have now thy wish fulfilled. See ! Pyrrhus comes, 

Reeking with blood of Priam and his race, 

Who killed the son and doubly killed the sire, 

Stabbed at the altar's foot beside his child. 

For this, dear Goddess-mother, didst thou shield 

From steel and flame thy hardly-rescued son, 

That murderous foes should riot in his halls, 

Wife, father, child before his eyes despatched, 

Sink in one bloody grave ? To arms, brave friends, 

To arms, and charge the conquering Greeks once more ! 

Be death our portion — one at least will die 741 

Not unavenged ! " Once more I grasp my sword, 

Adjust my shield, and gird me for the fight, 

But ere I passed the gate Creusa knelt, 

Ascanius in her arms, and clasped my feet. 

" If death you seek," she cried, "why leave us here ? 

The doom you meet be ours ! If yet you trust 

In spear and shield, remain and guard your home. 

Bethink thee, O my husband, of the fate 

Thy loved ones must endure, of thee bereaved." 750 

She wept and filled the mansion with her shrieks. 

c But now a wondrous prodigy appears : 
E'en as between our arms Ascanius lay, 
A slender shaft of flame from his fair head 
Spontaneous rose, glowed 'mid his waving locks 
With harmless sheen, and round his temples played. 
Scared at the sight we grasp the sparkling hair, 
And strive to quench the flame ; of wiser mind 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 45 

Nam quod consilium aut quae iam fortuna dabatur ? 

Mene efferre pedem, genitor, te posse relicto 

Sperasti, tantumque nefas patrio excidit ore ? 

Si nihil ex tanta Superis placet urbe relinqui, 

Et sedet hoc animo, perituraeque addere Troiae 660 

Teque tuosque iuvat, patet isti ianua leto, 

Iamque aderit multo Priami de sanguine Pyrrhus, 

Gnatum ante ora patris, patrem qui obtruncat ad aras. 

Hoc erat, alma parens, quod me per tela, per ignes 

Eripis, ut mediis hostem in penetralibus, utque 

Ascanium patremque meum iuxtaque Creusam 

Alterum in alterius mactatos sanguine cernam ? 

Arma, viri, ferte arma ; vocat lux ultima victos. 

Reddite me Danais ; sinite instaurata revisam 

Proelia. Numquam omnes hodie moriemur inulti. 670 

Hinc ferro accingor rursus clipeoque sinistram 
Insertabam aptans meque extra tecta ferebam. 
Ecce autem conplexa pedes in limine coniunx 
Haerebat, parvumque patri tendebat Iulum : 
Si periturus abis, et nos rape in omnia tecum ; 
Sin aliquam expertus sumptis spem ponis in armis, 
Hanc primum tutare domum. Cui parvus lulus, 
Cui pater et coniunx quondam tua dicta relinquor ? 



Talia vociferans gemitu tectum omne replebat, 
Cum subitum dictuque oritur mirabile monstrum. 680 

Namque manus inter maestorumque ora parentum 
Ecce levis summo de vertice visus Iuli 
Fundere lumen apex, tactuque innoxia molles 
Lambere flamma comas et circum tempora pasci. 
Nos pavidi trepidare metu, crinemque flagrantem 



46 MNEID, BOOK II. 

My sire with outstretched arms appeals to Heaven. 

" Great Jove ! if mortal prayers can reach thine ear, 760 

Regard thy suppliants now, to pious hearts 

Lend succour and confirm th' auspicious sign ! " 

Scarce ceased his prayer, when from the side of Heaven 

Whence happiest omens come, loud thunder pealed — 

Then darted down a solitary star, 

Trailing a stream of light athwart the gloom : 

We marked its course : right o'er our palace roof 

It seemed to glide, then sank in Ida's woods, 

Graving its fiery track adown the sky ; 

While all the air a sulphurous vapour filled. 770 

Instant the old man rose, the mystic star 

Adored, and bowed submission : u On," he said ; 

" No more I bid you linger : let us go ! 

Ye Gods of Ilium ! guard our ancient house 

And this its youthful heir : from you the sign 

Propitious came ; whate'er remains of Troy 

By your protection lives. Go now, my son, 

Where'er you lead I follow." As he spoke 

Near and more near the burning city's crash 

Smote on our ears, more scorching grew the blast. 780 

" Now, father, on my shoulders mount," I cried ; 

" These arms shall bear thee well, nor grudge their load j 

Let both one peril face, whate'er befall, 

Or one deliverance share : with me shall walk 

Ascanius hand in hand ; my wife behind 

Keep the same track and mark our footsteps well. 

And ye, my followers, this instruction heed — 

Beyond the ramparts, on a slope retired 

An unfrequented fane of Ceres stands, 

An ancient cypress near, for many an age 790 

In reverence held by our religious sires ; 

There will we muster our collected bands. 

Thou, reverend father, bear our household Gods, 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 47 

Excutere et sanctos restinguere fontibus ignes. 
At pater Anchises oculos ad sidera laetus 
Extulit, et caelo palmas cum voce tetendit : 
Iuppiter omnipotens, precibus si flecteris ullis, 
Aspice nos ; hoc tantum ; et, si pietate meremur, 690 

Da deinde auxilium, pater, atque haec omina firma. 
Vix ea fatus erat senior, subitoque fragore 
Intonuit laevum, et de caelo lapsa per umbras 
Stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit. 
Illam, summa super labentem culmina tecti, 
Cernimus Idaea claram se condere silva 
Signantemque vias ; turn longo limite sulcus 
Dat lucem, et late circum loca sulfure fumant. 
Hie vero victus genitor se tollit ad auras, 
Adfaturque deos et sanctum sidus adorat. 700 

lam iam nulla mora est ; sequor, et, qua ducitis, adsum. 
Di patrii, servate domum, servate nepotem. 
Vestrum hoc augurium, vestroque in numine Troia est. 
Cedo equidem, nee, nate, tibi comes ire recuse 
Dixerat ille ; et iam per moenia clarior ignis 
Auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt. 
Ergo age, care pater, cervici inponere nostrae ; 
Ipse subibo humeris, nee me labor iste gravabit ; 
Quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum, 
Una salus ambobus erit. Mihi parvus lulus 710 

Sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx. 
Vos, famuli, quae dicam, animis advertite vestris. 
Est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum 
Desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus 
Religione patrum multos servata per annos. 
Hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam. 
Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque Penates ; 



48 jENEID, BOOK II. 

These hallowed emblems brook not touch of hands 
With battle soiled, unpurged by flowing stream." 

' Clothed with a tawny lion's mantling hide, 
My shoulders now receive their honoured load ; 
Beside me, pacing with unequal steps, 
Ascanius twined his little hand in mine : 
Last came my wife. Through darkling ways we stole, 800 
And I who late 'mid iron shower of darts 
Had known no fear, nor blenched at Grecian lines 
Advancing to the charge, now coward made 
By helpless burthens, quake at every gale 
And think each sound a foe. At length we reached 
The gates and deemed our perils well-nigh past, 
When sudden tramp of warriors' feet drew near. 
Anchises, peering through the gloom, exclaims — 
<c Haste, haste, my son ! the foe ! they come, they come ! 
I see their burnished helms and glittering shields." 810 

Then did some power malign my #m*ered brain 
Whelm in confusion : as we travelled on 
By unfrequented paths and by-ways dim, 
Creusa, snatched by ruthless Fate, was gone — 
How lost I never knew ; if spent with toil 
She paused to rest, or wandered from the way : — 
Never in life these eyes beheld her more : 
Nor marked I what befell, nor knew we yet, 
Sire, husband, child, th' irreparable loss, 
Till halting for awhile by Ceres' fane 820 

Our little band we numbered — one was gone. 
Frantic with grief I railed on Gods and men, 
And deemed my country's woes surpassed by mine. 
With trusty friends in sheltering cave I leave 
My child, Anchises, and the Gods of Troy ; 
Then, armed for fight, again I scour the town 
Reckless of life, and tempt my fate once more. 



A E NEW OS, LIB. II 49 

Me, bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti, 

Attrectare nefas, donee me flumine vivo 

Abluero. 720 

Haec fatus, latos humeros subiectaque colla % 

Veste super fulvique insternor pelle leonis, 
Succedoque oneri ; dextrae se parvus lulus 
Inplicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis ; 
Pone subit coniunx. Ferimur per opaca locorum ; 
Et me, quern dudum non ulla iniecta movebant 
Tela neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Graii, 
Nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis 
Suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem. 

Iamque propinquabam portis, omnemque videbar 730 

Evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad aures 
Visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram 
Prospiciens, Nate, exclamat, fuge, nate ; propinquant. 
Ardentes clipeos atque aera micantia cerno. 
Hie mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 
Confusam eripuit mentem. Namque avia cursu 
Dum sequor et nota excedo regione viarum, 
Heu ! misero coniunx fatone erepta Creusa 
Substitit, erravitne via, seu lassa resedit, 
Incertum ; nee post oculis est reddita nostris. 740 

Nee prius amissam respexi animumque reflexi, 
Quam tumulum antiquae Cereris sedemque sacratam 
Venimus ; hie demum collectis omnibus una 
Defuit, et comites natumque virumque fefellit. 
Quern non incusavi amens hominumque deorumque, 
Aut quid in eversa vidi crudelius urbe ? 
Aseanium Anchisenque patrem Teucrosque Penates 
Commendo sociis et curva valle recondo ; 
Ipse urbem repeto et cingor fulgentibus armis. 
Stat casus renovare omnes, omnemque reverti 750 

Per Troiam, et rursus caput obiectare periclis. 



50 &NEID, BOOK II 

' Retracing step by step our devious track, 
By wall and gate I searched each dark recess : 
The stillness as of death appalled my soul : 830 

Then homeward I returned, if haply there 
The wanderer's steps had borne her — ere I came 
The Greek had forced the gates and ravaged all. 
E'en now the mantling flames, by night wind fanned, 
Climbed o'er the roof: the air like furnace glowed. 
To Priam's mansion next I bent my way : 
There in the vacant courts by Juno's shrine 
Phoenix and stern Ulysses watched the spoil, 
Dread sentinels ! I saw the wealth of Troy 
Piled in promiscuous heaps, embroidered vests, 840 

Beakers of massive gold, the treasured hoards 
Of altars spoiled : hard by, a fettered line 
Of boys and matrons wailed, the conquerors' prize. 
Nor feared I, through th' unpeopled streets, to shout 
Aloud to her I sought, till far and near 

The walls re-echoed with Creusa's name. 

Yet fruitless still my wild distracted search 

Through all the city made, when suddenly 

The very counterpart of that dear form, 

Fair as in life, yet statelier (as it seemed), 850 

Burst on my ravished sight. I stood aghast, 

Entranced by fear. With soothing tones she spoke : 

" Yield not, dear husband mine, to senseless grief; 

'Tis Heaven's decree we part, nor wills great Jove 

Together we should cross the azure main. 

Long wanderings must be thine by land and sea, 

Long exile, crowned at last with blissful end 

In that Hesperian land where Tiber laves 

His blooming plains : there shalt thou find repose, 

A destined kingdom and a royal bride. 860 

Mourn not Creusa ! no proud Myrmidon 

Shall call me slave, no Grecian dame assign 



AENEIDOS, LIB. II. 



51 



Principio muros obscuraque limina portae, 
Qua gressum extuleram, repeto, et vestigia retro 
Observata sequor per noctem et lumine lustro. 
Horror ubique anitnos, simul ipsa silentia terrent. 
Inde domum, si forte pedem, si forte tulisset, 
Me refero. Inruerant Danai, et tectum omne tenebant. 
Uicet ignis edax sum ma ad fastigia vento 
Volvitur ; exsuperant flammae, furit aestus ad auras. 
Procedo et Priami sedes arcemque reviso. 760 

Et iam porticibus vacuis Iunonis asylo 
Custodes lecti Phoenix et dirus Ulixes 
Praedam adservabant. Hue undique Troia gaza 
Incensis erepta adytis, mensaeque deorum, 
Crateresque auro solidi, captivaque vestis 
Congeritur. Pueri et pavidae longo ordine matres 
Stant circum. 

Ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram 
Inplevi clamore vias, maestusque Creusam 
Nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi. 770 
Quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine furenti 
Infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creusae 
Visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago. 
Obstupui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit. 
Turn sic adfari et curas his demere dictis : 
Quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori, 
O dulcis coniunx ? non haec sine numine divom 
Eveniunt ; nee te hinc comitem asportare Creusam 
Fas aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi. 
Longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780 

Ad terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva 
Inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris : 
Illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx 
Parta tibi. Lacrimas dilectae pelie Creusae : 
Non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas 
Aspiciam, aut Graiis servitum matribus ibo, 



52 &NEID, BOOK II 

To menial tasks, whom Venus daughter owns, 

A Dardan princess born ! But now, farewell, 

The Mother of th' Immortals claims my vow : 

Cherish our much-loved child — once more, farewell." 

She spoke, and, as I wept and strove to frame 

The words that crowded to my lips, was gone — 

Thrice round what seemed her neck my arms were flung, 

Thrice had the dear illusion mocked my grasp, 870 

Fleet as the wind and transient as a dream i 

c Now, as the night was waning, I rejoined 
My comrades, and perceived our slender band 
Swelled to a host, from every side convened : 
Wond'ring I viewed the mingled group forlorn : 
Matrons and youths were there, and stalwart men, 
For exile all prepared, with me to seek 
New homes beyond the sea. O'er Ida's height 
Now rose the morning star, day's harbinger : 
No refuge else remained — at every post 880 

The Greeks kept watch and ward ; — to fate resigned 
Once more I stooped my shoulders to receive 
My helpless sire, then climbed the mountain's side.' 



AEiVEIDOS, LIB. II. 



53 



Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus ; 

Sed me magna deum Genetrix his detinet oris. 

Iamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem. 

Haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790 

Dicere deseruit, tenuesque recessit in auras. 

Ter conatus ibi collo dare brachia circum : 

Ter frustra conprensa manus effugit imago, 

Par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno. 

Sic demum socios consumpta nocte reviso. 
Atque hie ingentem comitum adfluxisse novorum 
Invenio admirans numerum, matresque, virosque, 
Collectam exsilio pubem, miserabile volgus. 
Undique convenere, animis opibusque parati,. 
In quascumque velim pelago deducere terras. 800 

Iamque iugis summae surgebat Lucifer Idae 
Ducebatque diem, Danaique obsessa tenebant 
Limina portarum, nee spes opis ulla dabatur ; 
Cessi et sublato montes genitore petivi. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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LIBRPRY OF CONG "|j* 
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